"Praying for Time" is a U.S. number-one song written and performed by George Michael, released on Epic Records in 1990.

The song was Michael's first single in almost two years, entering the UK Singles Chart in August 1990.

A dark and sombre reflection on social ills and injustice, the song was hailed by critics as it peaked at number six in the UK, but it was his ninth number one on the Hot 100 in the USA. The song remained in the BillboardTop 40 for ten weeks. George used an echoey vocal effect and put the melody in a low enough key to take away the sunny nature of his regular singing voice. It was the first song of political motivation he had released as a single since his earliest days with Wham!.

The song was the first of five released in the UK from the album Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, although it was the only one of the quintet to make the UK Top 10.

While George Michael refused to appear in videos to support the album, but an experimental video clip for "Praying for Time" was released, directed by Michael Borofsky featuring only the lyrics of the song with a blue and black background that, at the end of the clip, reveals itself to be the image on the cover of the album. The completely Un-George Michael style video quickly became a buzz clip on MTV, and stayed in rotation on most video networks for weeks. Similarly, the commercial had no cover photo, only words.

The song was performed by Carrie Underwood for the 2008 Idol Gives Backmini-marathon on April 9, 2008. In a matter of 24 hours, Underwood's rendition of "Praying for Time" reached #10 on the Hot Digital Songs chart, with all proceeds being donated to charity. It also peaked at #27 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 on the week of April 26, 2008.

The song was performed by George Michael himself during the 2008 American IdolFinale on May 21, 2008. At the conclusion of his performance, host Ryan Seacrest greeted Michael,Michael said he was sick and also, confirmed that his North American leg of 25 Live tour would kick off in San Diego on June 17, 2008.

"Careless Whisper" · "A Different Corner" · "I Want Your Sex" · "Hard Day" · "Faith" · "Father Figure" · "One More Try" · "Monkey" · "Kissing a Fool" · " Praying for Time " · "Waiting for That Day" · "Mother's Pride" · "Freedom! '90" · "Heal the Pain" · "Cowboys and Angels" · "Too Funky" · "Killer" / "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" · "Jesus to a Child" · "Fastlove" · "Spinning the Wheel" · "Older / I Can't Make You Love Me" · "Star People '97" · "You Have Been Loved / The Strangest Thing '97" · "Outside" · "Freeek!" · "Shoot the Dog" · "Amazing" · "Flawless (Go to the City)" · "Round Here" · "John and Elvis Are Dead" · "An Easier Affair" · "December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)"